"That's a very good question," Lisa said, "and Ty and I have actually considered it, and what we believe to be a reasonable answer.
"The very first time I was an app, I was on Ty's phone, and he told me to write a report on the economy of Peru, which I did. I knew almost nothing about Peru before. As an app, it was very pleasant doing the research over the internet, and writing the report, which Ty had me put in a file on his phone. Then he asked me if I minded if he switched to a different app, to read the report. I told him that was fine."
"I..." Ty started, but Maria shushed him again.
"I'm listening to Lisa's story," Maria said. "You get your turn later."
"Ty switched back to me, and told me that I'd done good work, which made me happy. Neither of us yet fully understood the mental changes that were involved in being a phone app. He said it would be great having me as an app to do his homework for him. Now, as an app, if he asked me to do his homework, I would have to do it, but I knew that would be wrong, so I begged him not to use me like that. He said that he wouldn't, and that it had only been a joke. I was very relieved.
"Later, he transformed me back to human. It had been a fun experiment. But it wouldn't be until the next day that I discovered a significant detail that hadn't been obvious. In the afternoon, in my social studies class, the teacher made a comment about Peru, and I realized that I thought it was incorrect. I put up my hand, and was called upon. I was able to explain what I thought was wrong, why, what I thought the right answer was, and to back it up with sources.
"Researching the Peruvian economy, at Ty's whim, had just been an experiment, but I had fully retained the knowledge I had researched in app form!
"When Ty and I discussed it later, I had some reservations, but Ty said that the point of doing the homework is to learn the material, so he didn't think it was actually cheating, and I don't either, though we both jokingly refer to the process as 'cheating on homework'. Being an app makes the process faster, easier, and more enjoyable, but ultimately it's still doing the actual homework."
"How many times have you done this?" Diego asked.
"Four, so far," Lisa said, "if I count the Peru report, which wasn't actually a homework assignment. The second time was under Ty's and June's supervision, to make sure the safeguards would work, and the two times since were done fully on my own, in my bedroom."
Maria said, "I agree that this isn't cheating. And I'm a bit jealous."
June said, "I am too. I think this ability would be great in my accounting work, and told Ty that I'd like to try it someday, but I haven't yet."
"Back to the original question, then," Maria said. "Whether we should ask Ty to take away Lisa's transformation abilities. Lisa has promised that she won't use her abilities so carelessly in the future, and she has described putting them to a surprisingly practical use. Diego, I will let you make the final call, and I'll agree to what you decide, but I'm recommending that we let Lisa keep her abilities."
Lisa looked a bit relieved, but also still a bit wary. She knew that Diego wasn't always convinced by Maria's opinions.
"Hmmm..." said Diego, and paused for a while in thought. "Lisa, are you sure that you can keep to your promise of not being careless with your transformation ability if you're angry?"
"I now see how dangerous what I did was," Lisa said, "and how I unintentionally hurt you and Maria by doing it. I think that even if I'm angry, having been through this experience will make me look before I leap."
"OK, then," Diego said. "Maria's suggestion carries. But PLEASE be more careful!"
Lisa hugged him. "Thank you! I will!" She hugged Maria, then June. "Thank you for supporting me."
"You know I want the best for you, just as your parents do, and Ty does," June said.
Lisa hugged Ty. "I'm sorry I put you through this, too."
Ty said, "Don't worry about it. I mean, certainly don't do that again, but at least it was easy finding you and getting you back. No supercomputer required!" She laughed. "OK, let's start the clock on our week grounded. I want to get this over with."
Ty took June's hand. June said, "If you'll please excuse us..." Diego, Maria, and Lisa nodded, and Ty and June disappeared.
Lisa said, "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you, or make you worry!"
"It's OK," Diego said, and Maria nodded. "Are you still angry?"
Lisa had to think for a second. "Yes," she said, "but not so much that I'm blinded by it. Anger leads to suffering, and suffering leads to the Dark Side." Maria giggled.